GALVESTON, TEXAS (January 8, 2016) - The fifth annual Galveston Restaurant Week, hosted by Galveston.com & Co., will kick off this weekend, bringing the island’s vibrant food scene to life for two full weeks of delicious dining. The event will showcase the tastiest culinary gems Galveston has to offer Jan. 9-23 in addition to naming the island’s 2016 “Restaurant of the Year.”

More than 30 restaurants will participate in this year’s event, which is a once-a-year opportunity for diners to try top dishes on prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus in attractive price points between $10 and $40. The public is also invited to cast votes for their favorite participating eatery by indicating its unique keyword located here. To vote, patrons must text their favorite restaurant's keyword to 33733. At the end of the event, the winner will be named the 2016 Galveston Restaurant of the Year.

This celebration of food benefits the non-profit organization Access Care of Coastal Texas. A portion of Galveston Restaurant Week proceeds will be donated to the organization to provide lunches for patients living with HIV or AIDS.

The Grand 1894 Opera House is offering special discounted rates for Oscar-winner Olympia Dukakis in “Rose,” coming to Galveston Jan. 9 as well as the Broadway smash “The Producers,” coming to Galveston for two performances Jan. 16. Use Galveston Restaurant Week coupon code GALVRW. For details visit www.thegrand.com.